By: Sean R. Grogan



"Squirrel no more."

Katherine Whalen, former front woman for the roaring swing band the Squirrel Nut Zippers, has left the rodents in the park as she lets loose on her first solo record in seven years. It's been seven years too long. The moment you press play be prepared to be knocked off your feet by Whalen's breathy vocals (imagine Macy Gray in a smokey jazz club). One moment, Whalen is deeply crooning. In the next, she's grabbing your libido with her sexy, lilting voice.

With songs like "Dirty Little Secret," Whalen shows she can be easily accessible and radio friendly while maintaining a high-class air to her work. Dirty Little Secret runs the gamut of Whalen's abilities from big band swing and soulful ballads to pop with a touch of electronic flare and every conceivable combination in between.

Dirty Little Secret is leaps and bounds better than Whalen's pervious offerings from Katherine Whalen's Jazz Squad. Hotter than hell, Whalen's talent makes us yearn for more. Add the talented David Sale of the band Camus, who not only played all the instruments on the record but also produced the album, and you have an amazing disc you must not pass up.

What is Whalen's dirty little secret? Whatever it is, she isn't sharing, but maybe we can get her number.